Tell your friends, until the wheel falls off.
I'm going to miss those radio mechanicomics.
If the bearing is grinding loudly, drive only in the curb lane, and slow speeds.
Further possible damage can entail needing to replace the steering knuckle and/or hub.
Park it or borrow money from parents like Romney says. Don't be a 47-er.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob2006

I have a friend with a 2002 PT and the passenger side front wheel bearing is grinding away quite loudly.

They will not have the money to replace it for another 20 to 30 days.
How long can they drive the car like this and what else might happen if it does not get changed soon enough?
Thanks

The best way to think about it is like this: Say your knee cap is old and worn out. Its painful to walk on it, It also does a crap-ton of damage to your joints. Same thing aplies here. Normally the ABS light will come on first, telling you to look at the hub. Sometimes, it may be nothin. But sometimes its something a whole hell of a lot worse. It's common sense man, Park it or expect to be replacing more than just the bearing. Also, tell them to buy a quality bearing/hub assembly. You get what you pay for. The better bearings have a much better warranty policy, and are generally(not always) made of a better wearing material. If i had to suggest, BCA(national) makes a really good bearing for the money. I think in the year and a half ive been selling them, i've had one come back on a warranty. That's just my 2 cents.

If they have HAVE to use it, Only drive a very short distance. Anything more, you're just asking for trouble.

My son drove his until the bearing disintegrated and then the spindle started eating the whole hub. He finally "noticed when the hub got so eaten that the strut tower hit the tire and prevented the car from moving. ( The hub was keyholed a good 1.5" when they looked at it!)
Point being that it might be better to put the wheel bearing job on a CC than to wait till it's a $700 job plus a tow. Been there- Done that.

My son drove his until the bearing disintegrated and then the spindle started eating the whole hub. He finally "noticed when the hub got so eaten that the strut tower hit the tire and prevented the car from moving. ( The hub was keyholed a good 1.5" when they looked at it!)
Point being that it might be better to put the wheel bearing job on a CC than to wait till it's a $700 job plus a tow. Been there- Done that.

It won't likely fall off. That said as posted above If you keep driving it will tear up a lot more stuff and could puncture a tire if you get as bad as the boy in the earlier post and that could cause you them to wreck. Could take a day or a month. It's a crap shoot. Let their wallet decide if the risk is worth it!